3D Radial UTE MRI outperforms 3D Cartesian conventional echo time MRI for evaluation of cystic fibrosis lung disease

In this prospective cross-sectional study of 30 cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects, 3D radial ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI significantly outperformed 3D Cartesian conventional echo time MRI when compared with reference standard computed tomography (CT), especially with respect to the depiction of air trapping. Short-term 1-2 week repeatability was comparable with CT. Since air trapping is considered one of the earliest signs of CF lung disease, and potentially reversible, the use of UTE MRI could significantly improve the utility of MRI as a biomarker for treatment effect in mild CF lung disease.